Apparatus for the treatment of artificial materials



R. D. REEL Nov. 16, i943;

APPARATUS FORTHE TREATMENT OF ARTIFICIAL MATERIAL Filed July 29, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR I; fan.

a kw. ATTORNEY R. D. REEL Nov. 16, 1943.

APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ARTIFICIAL MATERIAL Filed Jqiy 29,- 1942 2 Sh eets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR flw Mo/vo 0. i554 ans MW ATTORNEY Patented Nov; 16, 1943 APPARATUS FOR THE 'rnna'rrm'r OF ARTIFICIAL MATERIALS Raymond D. Reel, Keyser, W. Va., assignor to Celanese Corporation America, a corporation of Delaware Application July 29, 1942, Serial No. 452,749

6 Claims. (G1. 2859.5)

This invention relates'to improvements in the stretching of filamentary materials, and relates more particularly to improved apparatus for stretching filaments, yarns and threads hereinafter referred to as threads, while they are travelling and while they are under the influence of a softening medium, in order to enhance the textile properties thereof such as, for example,-

to improve the tensile strength. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly applicable to the production of I threads, having a basis of cellulose acetate, or other cellulose ester or ethers,

or other synthetic material, of high tensile strength.

In stretching devices heretofore employed, the application of the softening medium was performed in one large chamber on a considerable number of ends of threads of thermoplastic filaments. At the beginning of the operation the ends were drawn from the source of supply, formed into a warp, drawn through a multi-end stretching chamber and the individual ends then packaged separately. After the operation was started, if an end or several ends broke there was no way of tying them in, thus producing considerable waste. Another source of waste, in the operation of prior methods, was the long length of thread necessary to be passed through the device in starting up. On the application of the softening medium, after threading up, softening of the material took place gradually and the threads were fed'into the apparatus at a continuously decreasing speed. It was necessary that Another object of this invention is the provision of a thread stretching device having means for softening the thread and wherein the rolls by which the rate of input or feed to the thread softening means is determined are located outside of said thread softening means.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a thread stretching device having thread softening means comprising two interconnecting chambers in one of which is contained water and in the other a thread softening medium, the water being maintained at 5 or more pounds of higher gauge pressure than the pressure in the chamber containing the softening means.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a thread stretching device having automatic tension control on the thread taking-up means, thus making for more accurate control of stretch and lowering the requirements of operative skill necessary to operate the device efilciently.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a thread stretching device which produces stretched thread at a much greater speed than heretofore possible.

Other objects of this invention, together with certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will appear from the following detailed description and drawings.

In the drawings where there is shown one embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a side view, partially in cross-section and more or less diagrammatic, of the improved device of my invention,

the thread be kept moving, since otherwise it would not withstand the continued action of the softening medium and breakage would result. As

the speed of theinput of the threads was decreased gradually with'the application of softening agent considerable skill was necessary to prevent broken ends. Furthermore, due to manual manipulation and the high rate of input of thread, longer lengths than necessary of insufliciently stretched yarn were produced in starting up the prior devices. It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an improved device for stretching threads which will be free from the above-mentioned and other disadvantages and which will be especially simple in construction and eiilcient in operation.

An important object of this invention is the provision of a novel and efllcient device for stretching a single end of thread wherein said single end is passed througha small tubehaving two interconnected chambers into one of which 'is fed a medium for softening said thread.

Figure'2 is an enlarged top plan view of the .takeup feed roll and automatic guides cooperating therewith in the position of starting up the device, Figure 3 is an enlarged view similar to Figure 2 with the automatic guides in operative position to eflect the maximum stretching or taking-up eflect on the yarn, and

Figure 4 is a detail view of the guide arm pivot and tension member.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

According to the present invention, in the operation for stretching material in the form of filaments or single ends of thread byapplying tension to said material while it is travelling and under influence of a softening medium, the degree of stretch eflected is changed, for starting the operation or terminating it, by placing the ratio of the length of thread fed to the length of thread drawn from the device under the control of the tension in the material as the material becomes softened. By employing this invention the degree of stretching of each end of thread is made a function of the increasing softness of that particular end of thread as the supply of softening medium is turned on at the starting up of the operation, so that the degree of stretch is made to follow automatically the softening of the yarn in a smooth and economic manner. In a similar manner, as the supply ofsoftening medium is cut off at the end of the operation or for any other reason, the degree of stretch is automatically reduced preventing waste resulting from broken ends. In the device of my invention it is also desirable toreduce overall tension other than that supplied by the feed rolls and the stretching roll. This I accomplish by providing at the intake end-of the pressure treating chamber a fiuid pressure chamber in which the pressure exceeds that in the treating chamber, thus creating a flow of liquid through the thread entrance orifice into the treating chamber so that the travelling thread is positively carried thereinto. For the Purpose of controlling the degree of stretch by tension-sensitive means my device is provided with conical stretching roller with movable guides responsive to the tension on the thread for governing the path of the thread with respect to the roller as will hereinafter be described more fully.

Referring now to the drawings wherein one embodiment of my invention is shown, the reference numeral l indicates a single end of thread drawn from a bobbin 2 and passes through a pigtail guide 2' into a trough 3 containing a liquid 3' for washing out or removing any undesired substances on or in the thread, such as, for example, residual solvent. While the source of supply is here shown as a bobbin, it is to be understood that any other thread package may be employed, or the thread may come directly from the metier. Rollers-4 are provided toguide the thread I below-the surface of the liquid 3' in trough 3. Mounted on or above trough 3 is a drying frame generally indicated by reference numeral 5, which drying frame comprises suitable uprights or supports 6 on which are rotatably I is caused to travel through a circuitous path of a length suflicient to dry the thread or to serve as an air path for assisting to remove residual solvent. The thread I passes from frame over guide roller 8 and may be led into a trough 9 thereon, for admitting the steam thereto. A drain i9 may be provided for withdrawing condensate and fluid entering from the adjoining auxiliary chamber 2|. Chamber 2| is positioned inject or assist in carrying the travelling thread through the orifice 24 into the chamber l1. An orifice 25 is provided at the entrance end of the fluid chamber 2i and an orifice 26 at the exit end of the steam chamber H for the passage of the thread through the treating device, the

orifices all being of small dimension to maintain the pressures in chambers i1 and 2i.

A stationary guide 21 is provided to direct the thread I coming from the steam chamber I! on as cap twlsters, Topham mounted guide rollers I over,which the thread containing water or other conditioning liquid II,

trough 9 being provided with rollers" for guiding the thread beneath the stance of the liquid therein. The water is used to remove or counteract the effect of residual solvent in the supply yarn, to prevent counter-flow of softening medium into the water chamber, to inject yarn pass ing through the water chamber into the other chamber and to providemoisture in said other chamber.

The thread I leaves the trough 9 over a guide roller l2 and passes through a pigtail guide l3 and then between rollers l4 and I, either or both of which may be positively driven, which rollers are adapted to feed the thread to a thread treating device, generally indicated by'- reference numeral l6, where the thread is subjected to a softening medium.

Thetreating device: it shown in Figure 1 cm- Dloys steam to soften the thread. For the above purpose the device It is provided with a steam chamber I! having means It, such as fa pipe which may have a control valve (not shown) to a stretching or taking-up device shown at 28 in Figure 1 and in greater detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Guides 28 and 30 are provided to direct the stretched thread by means of a ring 3| and ring rail 32 on to a rotating bobbin 33. How ever, any other suitable packaging means, such boxes, etc.. may be employed. I

The means for the automatic handling or drawing the thread under uniform tension and feeding it to the take-up or packaging device at lineal rates varying from zero to the maximum capacity of the device'is shown in detail in Figures 2. 3 and 4. This means comprises a conical roll 34 mounted on a shaft 35 that is positively.

driven in timed relation to the feed rollers l4 and I. An auxiliary collar 36 is provided on the smaller end of the roll 34 to prevent thread from running of! the roll on to the shaft 35 and bearings thereof (not shown). The conical roll 34 is provided with a cylindrical portion 31 adjacent to the base thereof.

Means are provided for directing the thread I on to conical roll 34, said means comprising a pair of guides which are movable in response to the tension on the thread. To this end there is provided a bracket 33 having an arm 4| on which is pivoted at 42 a guide supporting arm 43 Mounted on an ear 44 of the arm 43 is a member 45 bent to form 43, at the opposite end from the member 45, is attached a contractile spring 43 having a connecting link 43 which passes through a stop ii mounted on a bracket 52. The connecting link 49 is threaded as indicated at 33 and is provided with a thumb screw 34 that abuts against the stop 5! so that the tension on the spring 48 may be adiusted.

A front guide is formed on one end. of a rod 33 that is carried on a pivot 31 iournaled in a bracket II. The rod 54 extends beyond the pivot approximately half way around guides 46 and 41. To the arm pivoting back guide 43,

conical roll 36 to the movable' front guide 55, from which it is passed down around said roll 34 and up through back guide flfwhich'is integral with back guide 45, thence again over the roll 34 to the stationary guide 29 and to the packaging device.

After the thread is arranged'as described above, the feed rolls l4 and i5 arejdriven at a constant speed equal to or lower than, the peripheral speed of the smallest part of the -roll 3.4 and the application of the softening niediumisstarted in the chamber ll. As the thread at'the starting point has little stretch the tension of the yarn pulls the pivoted arm 43 to the narrow end of the cone so that the output is substantially that of the input. As the softening medium begins to soften the thread, the thread begins to stretch allowing the tension of the spring 48' on the pivoted arm 43 to swing the arm toward a larger part of the conical roll 34. The front guide follows the rearguides 46 and 47, carried on the arm 34, toward the larger part of the conical roll due to the tension of the spring 59 holding the rod 56 against the arm 34. When the full effect of the softening medium is imposed upon the yarn its softness or stretch will permit the arm 43 to so move that from then on the path of the thread will be around the cylindrical section 31 of. the roll 34'. The ratio of the diameter of the section 31, or output, to the diameter of'the rolls [4 and I5, or input, will be the degree of stretch imparted to the yarn. In shutting off the softening medium the reverse operation takes place. It is obvious, therefore, that the yarn is stretched as soon and as much as the effect of the softening medium will allow and yet at no time is there applied a stretching or taking-up tension which would break the yarn.

This invention is applicable to the stretching of thermoplastic threads or threads capable of being softened by solvent vapors and/or liquids such as those made of or containing derivatives of cellulose. Examples of derivatives of cellulose are the organic acid esters of cellulose such as cellulose acetate, cellulose formate, cellulose butyrate. cellulose propionate and cellulose acetatepropionate; the cellulose ethers such as ethyl cellulose, methy .cellulose and benzyl cellulose; the partial or completely saponified esters of cellulose; regenerated or reconstituted cellulose; and the linear polymers of high molecular weight such as the linear condensation product of a polyamide, condensation products of dicarboxylic compounds with diamine compounds and condensation products of diketenes with compounds containing two reactive hydrogens as diamines, glycols, etc. plurality of filaments grouped together either with or without twist to form a thread.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merely by way of illus tration and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

"Having described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is; g

1. In an apparatus for stretching a single end of thread the combination with a chamber for the application of a softening medium to a travelling thread, means for feeding the thread at a constant speed into said chamber and means for drawing the thread out 'of said chamber,

of means including a plurality of separate, cooperating guides on opposite sides of said drawing means responsive to the degree of softness The threads may be mcnofils or a v of the thread for engaging the thread and to direct its path on said drawing means for changing the speed of the thread drawn from'said chamber.

2. In an apparatus for stretching a single end of thread, the combination with a chamber for the application of a softening medium to a travelling thread, means for feeding the thread at a constaht speed into said chamber and means for drawing the thread out of said chamber including a roll having a conical surface, of means including guides on opposite sides of said roll responsive to the degree of softness of the thread for engaging the thread and for directing its path on said roll for changing the speed of the thread drawn from said chamber.

3. In an apparatus for stretching a single end V of thread, the combination with a chamber for the application of a softening medium to a travelling thread, means for positively feeding the thread into said chamber and means for positively drawing the thread out of said chamber including a roll having a conical surface, said roll being driven at a uniform speed and in timed relation to the speed of said feeding means, of means including a pivoted guide at one side of said roll and a pivoted guide at the opposite side of said roll responsive to the degree of softnessof the thread for engaging the thread and. directing its path on said drawing means for changing the speed of the thread drawn from said chamber.

. 4. In an apparatus for stretching a single end of thread, the combination with a chamber for the application of a softening medium to a travelling thread, means for positively feeding the thread into said chamber and means for positively drawing the thread out of said chamber including a roll having a conical surface, said -roll being driven at a uniform speed and in timed relation to the speed of said feeding means, of means including a pivoted arm, a back guide carried by said arm, a pivoted rod, 9. front guide on said rod, an extension on said rod for en- ..gaging said pivoted arm to effect correlated movement of said back guide and front guide whereby the said means is responsive to the degree of softness of the thread for engaging the thread and directing its path on said drawin means for changing the speed of the thread drawn from said chamber.

5. In an apparatus for stretching a single end of thread, the combination with a chamber for the application of a softening medium to a travelling thread, means for positively feeding the thread into said chamber and means for positively drawing the thread out of said chamber including a roll having a conical surface, said roll being driven at a uniform speed and in timed relation to the speed of said feedin means, of means including a pivoted arm, an adjustable tension urging said arm to swing toward the larger end of said roll, a back guide carried by said arm, a pivoted rod, a front guide on said rod, and an extension on said rod for engaging said pivoted arm to effect correlated movement of said back guide and front guide whereby the saidmeans is responsive to the degree of softness of the thread for engaging the thread and directing its path on said drawing means for changing the speed of the thread drawn from said chamber.

6. In an apparatus for stretching a single end 'of thread, the combination with a chamber for the application of a softening medium to a travelling thread, means for positively feeding the thread into said chamber and means for positively drawing the thread out of said chamber including a roll having a conical surface, said r011 being driven at a uniform speed and in timed relation to the speed of said feeding means, of means including a pivoted arm, a spring urging said arm to swing against the tension or the thread toward the larger end of said roll, a back guide carried by said arm, a pivoted rod, 9. front guide carried by said rod, an extension on said rod to hold it in engagement with said arm to eflect correlated movement of said back guide and front guide whereby the said means is responsive to the degree of softness of the thread for engaging the thread and directing its path on said drawing means for. changing the speed of the thread drawn from said chamber.

RAYMOND D. REEL. 

